July 11, 2018 8:33pm EDTJuly 11, 2018 8:33pm EDTFootball, England, FIFA World Cup, English, Luka Modric, Croatia, Manager Player Reaction WC2018The Real Madrid star says his side deserved to advance to the World Cup final and hit back at pundits who had written them off(MANAN VATSYAYANA)

Tommy Doleman

The Real Madrid midfielder played a key role in the second half as Croatia came from behind to win with goals from Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic turning their fortunes and setting up a final with France.

Much was made of Croatia's gruelling run to the semi-final with their previous two games going to penalties, but Modric, 32, said the team used talk about them being tired as a motivation.

"Their journalists and pundits on television were talking prior to this match about us being tired, being the walking dead," he told beIN SPORTS .

"Those words from them gave us even more eagerness to prove them wrong. They should be more humble and respectful.

"When you play a semi-final, it is impossible to be tired. You know how much is at stake. We showed that. Apart from against Argentina, that was our best game."

Croatia also made the semi-finals in 1998, when they lost to eventual winners France, and Modric says his team deserved to go one better and reach Sunday's decider.

"It means everything. It's a dream come true for us, and all of Croatia," he said.